We've got a rather interesting Top 14 fixtures list headed our way this coming weekend with a number of sides heavyweight sides coming up against some lower-level opposition. The most evenly matched and arguably the pick of the round's action, will see take on Stade Francais on Sunday evening.
Castres v Clermont
Friday 27 November
Stade Pierre Fabre
21:45
To Win (80 Mins)
Castres 11/10
Draw 18/1
Clermont 15/20
We get things underway over at the Stade Pierre Fabre where 13th placed Castres will take on log-leading Clermont.
The hosts have only won two games this term but they have missed a number of fixtures due to COVID-19. They were out of action last weekend with their last fixture coming in Round 8 where they went down by just a point to the Bordeaux Begles.
Clermont have been slightly less hampered by COVID than their opponents for this weekend and have managed to play one more fixture. They have been in much better form winning five of their six games. They also head into this one off the back of a week off, with their last game seeing them gon down 19-10 to La Rochelle back in Round 8.
Verdict: Clermont 15/20
They may be away from home but I can still see Clermont getting the job done this weekend.
Toulon v Pau
Saturday 28 November
Stade Mayol
16:15
To Win (80 Mins)
Toulon 1/11
Draw 30/1
Pau 57/10
Our next Round 10 installment will see big spenders Toulon take on a Pau side that are in decent enough touch. The hosts have won three of the five fixtures they have played and currently reside in eighth place on the log. They head into Saturday's game having suffered a very disappoint 35-29 loss to Bayonne.
Pau are have one three and drawn seven of the games they have played thus far and currently sit a point and a place above Toulon on the standings. They enjoyed a bye week last week with their last game seeing them go down 16-22 to Toulouse in Round 8.
Verdict: Toulon 1/11
I expect Toulon to bounce back on home solid as they are a much better side on their own track than they are on the road.
La Rochelle v Brive
Saturday 28 November
Stade Marcel-Delfrandre
19:15
To Win (80 Mins)
La Rochelle 1/11
Draw 30/1
Brive 57/10
Second-placed La Rochelle will be looking to claim the full five-point haul when they take on a Brive side that is seriously struggling this term.
The hosts are currently second on the standings and have won five of their six fixtures. They head into this one off the back of a very tough 9-6 win over Racing Metro.
Brive, as touched on above, are having a nightmare start to the campaign and have only managed to win two of their six fixtures. Their last opponents were also Racing Metro, whom they went down 19-23 to back in Round 8.
Verdict: La Rochelle 1/11
I reckon we'll see a composed display from the hosts who will be looking for a big bonus-point win over a Brive side that is struggling at the minute.
Toulouse v Agen
Saturday 28 November
Stade Ernest-Wallon
19:15
To Win (80 Mins)
Toulouse 1/100
Draw 40/1
Agen 11/1
Reigning champions Toulouse will welcome winless Agen to the Satde Ernest Wallon this Saturday in what is the David versus Goliath battle of the weekend.
The hosts have registered four wins from their seven games with their most recent victory coming in Round 9 where they beat Pau 16-22. They had the week off last weekend as they didn't play a catch-up fixture.
Agen have really struggled this term and their woes continued in Round 9 where they were hammered 9-38 by Toulon on their own patch.
Verdict: Toulouse 1/100
I reckon Agen will struggle again here and we're likely to see a very similar scoreline to the one Toloun ran up against them a fortnight ago.
Montpellier v Bordeaux Begles
Saturday 28 November
GGL Stadium
19:15
To Win (80 Mins)
Montpellier 4/10
Draw 20/1
Bordeaux 2/1
Montpellier will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing 29-20 Round 9 loss to Bayonne when they take on a Bordeaux side that went down 26-16 to Stade Francais in last week's catch-up fixtures.
The hosts have struggled somewhat this term and only have two wins from the five games they have played. Bordeaux haven't fared that much better and have only registered three wins from their opening six fixtures. This is rather surprising as the Begles were the form team last season before COVID saw the campaign called off.
Verdict: Bordeaux 2/1
Neither side is in good form but I have a sneaky suspicion Bordeaux will take this one. I'll only be having a small strike on the away win though as Bordeaux are missing a number of players who are away with the French and Fijian national squads.
Racing 92 v Bayonne
Sunday 29 November
Paris La Defense Arena
19:00
To Win (80 Mins)
Racing 1/25
Draw 35/1
Bayonne 17/2
The penultimate game of the weekend will pit fifth-place Racing Metro up against tenth-placed Bayonne. Both sides have identical win records with the Racing winning three of their five fixtures and Bayonne winning three of their six. Racing are in a better position on the ladder due to their penchant for picking up bonus points.
Racing were in action during last week's catch-up round with the Parisians going down by three points to La Rochelle. Bayonne also were in action last weekend, and the plucky minnows managed to register a brilliant six-point win over Toulon.
Verdict: Racing 1/25
While Bayonne have shown they are capable of toppling the big guns at home, their away form is not the best. I can see them getting something resembling a rugby lesson at the La Defense Arena.
Lyon v Stade Francais
Sunday 29 November
Matmut Stadium Gerland
22:05
To Win (80 Mins)
Lyon 1/4
Draw 22/1
Stade 29/10
We'll close out the round at the Matmut Stadium where fourth-placed Lyon will play host to sixth-placed Stade Francais.
Lyon, after a sluggish start to their campaign, have hit a rather rich vein of form and have their last three fixtures the one prior to the winning streak. They have been off for two weeks though with their last game coming in Round 8 where they beat Agen 16-19.
Stade have also fared really well in recent weeks and have also won their last three fixtures with their most recent victory coming during last weekend's catch-up fixtures where they beat Bordeaux by ten points.
Verdict: Lyon 1/4
While both sides are in solid touch, I reckon Lyon will have the edge over their opponents at the Matmut Stadium.